Sure, you’re having a fantastic vacation in the Rockies and now and then you like to drink an alcoholic beverage. That’s no problem in restaurants, bars, and cafés, but what are the park’s rules on this topic exactly? Can you drink on a campground? Can you drink while picnicking or barbecuing? And what’s the legal drinking age in Alberta?
It’s only normal, wanting a good pint or wine during festivities, especially on vacation. It’s your annual time off from work and other daily concerns and you want to enjoy yourself.
Alcohol consumption, however, is a delicate topic in most areas of the world. So if you want to know what you can and cannot do in Banff, please read on.
What’s the Legal Drinking Age in Canada?
The legal drinking age in Canada differs per province and territory. In general, the legal drinking age is 19, but in Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta, it’s 18. So the Banff drinking age is 18, as the park is situated in Alberta.
What Are the Rules in Canada Regarding Alcohol Consumption?
As the consumption of alcohol is considered a drug in Canada (like basically everywhere in the world), there are several regulations regarding this topic. Here’s what’s illegal:
- Drink or possess alcohol below the legal drinking age
- Drive while under the influence of alcohol
- Use a fake ID to buy alcohol or get into a bar
- Buy alcohol for someone who is under the legal drinking age
Can You Have One Drink and Drive?
Alberta imposed a zero-tolerance policy regarding drinking and driving. So no, you can’t. However, if your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) stays below 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood, you’ll be fine.
If you get caught with a higher BAC, you’ll face an immediate 30-day license suspension and a 7-day vehicle seizure. On top of that, you could face a fine of up to CAD 2000 (depending on the level of alcohol in your blood) and towing and impound charges. And, if your situation is severe enough, you could even be put in jail.
What Are the Park-Specific Rules on Alcohol?
It is not permitted to consume alcohol in public places in the park openly. So you cannot drink at day-use areas, cook shelters, trails and beaches (lakeshores), parking lots, pull-outs and park buildings. Alcohol consumption is only allowed on licensed premises, at registered campsites and private residences.
Those are the official rules, but in general, it’s okay to consume alcoholic beverages when you’re picnicking and/or barbecuing in designated areas like the picnicking area at Cascade Ponds and the Bow River Barbecue Area on Birch Avenue in Banff.
In other words: Drinking is okay during an eating activity. Just make sure you don’t show drunk and disorderly behavior and you should be fine. Though don’t drink between 11 pm and 7 am, as it is prohibited during these hours.
Then there’s also the ‘thing’ about summer long weekends in the so-called front-country campgrounds. During those weekends, all alcohol consumption in public areas is prohibited.
Here’s an overview of these weekends:
- Victoria Day, Monday before 25 May
- Canada Day, 1 July
- Labour Day, first Monday in September
- Thanksgiving Day, second Monday in October
What about Purchasing Alcoholic Beverages in the Park?
This is, of course, no problem if you’re 18 years or older. You cannot buy liquor if you’re younger than 18. This applies specifically to Alberta – and therefore to Banff National Park. For instance, if you’re going to nearby British Columbia, the legal drinking age is 19.
Where to Purchase Liquor?
Well, enough about all those cannots and should nots. Let’s discuss something more fun. Like: Where can you purchase liquor? In the park, you’re pretty much bound to Banff and Lake Louise to buy alcohol. Banff has eight shops, Lake Louise one. I’ve listed them below.
Banff
- A Liquor Store, 304 Caribou Street
- Banff Avenue Liquor Store, 449 Banff Avenue
- Liquor Depot Cascade, 202 Wolf Street (In Cascade Shops)
- Park Avenue Wine & Spirits, 211 Banff Avenue (In Park Avenue Mall)
- IGA Banff, 318 Marten Street
- Nesters Liquor Store, 405 Spray Avenue (In Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel)
- Sidestreet Liquor Store, 119 Banff Avenue
- Townhouse Liquor, 226 Bear Street
Lake Louise
- Lake Louise Liquor Store, 101 Lake Louise Drive (In The Village Market – Samson Mall)
Locally Produced Spirits and Beers
Yes, Banff National Park has its own distiller and brewer. They produce beer and liquors like whiskey, vodka, gin and rye whiskey. What’s remarkable is that local glacier water is used for most of these products, among other ingredients of course.
Book a Tour!
If you’re interested in how these products are made and you’d like to taste them as well, why not book a tour? There are three exciting places worth visiting, each with attractive, (very) specific products.
Park Distillery
The Park Distillery holds small and interactive get-togethers with plenty of room for questions. And, of course, you can taste their products: a ½ ounce sample of the Park Distillery’s six most popular spirits.
As a tour member, you get a ten percent discount on items in the Park Store. Here you’ll find products like Park Alpine dry gin, Park Maple rye and Park Glacier rye, Park Vanilla vodka, Park Bird’s Eye Chili Vodka, Park Classic vodka and Park Espresso vodka.
The Park Distillery tours are held daily. Private tours are also possible. The minimum for this tour is eight people and you have to book ten days in advance.
Park Distillery
Address: 219 Banff Avenue
Phone: +1 403 – 762 5114
Website: parkdistillery.com
E-mail: via the site
Banff Ave Brewing Co
This young beer brewing company was founded in 2010 and has built its reputation ever since. It sells interesting beers like the White Wit, Black Pil and Ride or Dry. According to their website, they have developed into a ‘beer culture hotbed for locals and tourists alike’.
Banff Ave Brewing Co also has its own bar at 110 Banff Avenue where you can have a bite and, of course, taste their beers. Okay, they don’t do tours, but you can kinda ‘establish’ your own by tasting all their beautiful ales.
Banff Ave Brewing Co
Address: 110 Banff Avenue
Phone: +1 403 – 762 1003
Website: banffavebrewingco.ca
E-mail: meesh@banffavebrewingco.ca
Banff Whisky Experience
Whisky aficionados should absolutely book a tour at Banff Whisky Experience. This company holds several whisky-related events throughout the year, like a Grand Tasting Event, master classes and even a two-day festival.
They also do private tasting events, where you can have branded or blind tasting, focusing on one style and distillery. Both are suitable for small and large groups.
Banff Whisky Experience
Address: 114 Middle Springs Drive Suite 1
Phone: +1 403 – 431 4262
Website: banffwhiskyexperience.com
E-mail: via the website